Interview with Dr Terrence Sejnowski University of California, San Diego

Summary

In this insightful interview, Dr. Terrence Sejnowski, a renowned computational neuroscientist and co-instructor, shares his learning strategies and insights on enhancing cognitive abilities. Emphasizing the importance of active engagement, he discusses the benefits of learning by doing, the role of exercise in fostering new neuron growth, and the impact of a rich environment on learning. Dr. Sejnowski also highlights the significance of multitasking, the power of creative environments, and the value of persistence and passion in achieving success.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Dr. Terrence Sejnowski is a leading figure in computational neuroscience, known for his pioneering work in neural networks.
• 🏆 He is an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Francis Crick Professor at the Salk Institute, and directs the Computational Neurobiology Laboratory.
• 🌟 Dr. Sejnowski is one of only 10 living scientists elected to all three National Academies in the U.S., a testament to his elite status in the scientific community.
• 🎓 He has graduated more computational neuroscientists than any other, making him a father figure in the field.
• 🔬 His research aims to link principles from the brain to behavior using computational models.
• 📚 Terry emphasizes learning by doing and immersing oneself in the subject matter, as opposed to passive reading.
• 🤔 He suggests asking questions during lectures to stay engaged and turn passive listening into active learning.
• 🏃‍♂️ Dr. Sejnowski finds jogging and physical exercise conducive to diffuse mode thinking, where new ideas can emerge.
• 📝 He recommends carrying a notebook to jot down ideas during moments of inspiration to avoid forgetting them later.
• 🤹‍♂️ Despite the need to multitask, he values reflective moments in the evening for his most productive work.
• 🧘‍♂️ Multitasking for him involves context switching, and he finds it easier to return to tasks after switching than others might.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Exercise, according to his research, increases the number of new neurons in the hippocampus, aiding in learning and memory retention.
• 🤝 Creativity thrives in a collaborative environment, and Dr. Sejnowski finds that discussing ideas with others enhances his own creative process.
• 📝 Effective test-taking involves moving past unanswered questions and returning to them later, leveraging the brain's parallel processing.
• 👨‍🎓 Success in learning is not solely about intelligence but also about passion and persistence in pursuing one's goals.

Q & A

What is Dr. Terrence Sejnowski's primary area of research?

Dr. Terrence Sejnowski's primary area of research is in neural networks and computational neuroscience.

What is the significance of Dr. Sejnowski's position at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies?

Dr. Sejnowski is the Francis Crick Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, where he directs the Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, indicating his leadership role in the field.

What makes Dr. Sejnowski an elite scientist in his field?

Dr. Sejnowski is an elite scientist as he is one of only 10 living scientists to have been elected to all three of the National Academies in engineering, science, and medicine.

How does Dr. Sejnowski approach learning something completely new?

Dr. Sejnowski prefers to get into the thick of it, learning by doing and through osmosis from experts, rather than just reading books.

What technique does Dr. Sejnowski use to stay engaged during a boring lecture?

Dr. Sejnowski suggests asking a question to interrupt the speaker, which can lead to a more interesting discussion and active engagement.

How does physical exercise, like jogging, benefit Dr. Sejnowski's thinking process?

Jogging allows Dr. Sejnowski's mind to disengage from normal thought patterns, facilitating the emergence of new ideas and diffuse mode thinking.

What is Dr. Sejnowski's method for remembering ideas that come to him during physical activities?

Dr. Sejnowski carries a small notebook to take notes and remember the ideas that come to him during his runs.

How does Dr. Sejnowski define multitasking and how does he manage it?

Dr. Sejnowski views multitasking as the ability to switch contexts efficiently between different tasks and believes that he can switch back and forth easily between tasks.

What discovery by Rusty Gage at the Salk Institute has influenced Dr. Sejnowski's view on learning?

Rusty Gage's discovery that new neurons are born in the hippocampus even in adulthood, and that an enriched environment or exercise can increase these neurons, has influenced Dr. Sejnowski's approach to learning and memory.

How does Dr. Sejnowski apply his knowledge of neuroscience to his own learning process?

Dr. Sejnowski applies his knowledge by engaging in activities like running, which he knows helps in the birth and survival of new neurons in the hippocampus, thus aiding in learning and memory.

What advice does Dr. Sejnowski have for students regarding success in learning?

Dr. Sejnowski advises that success comes from passion and persistence, staying the course, and not giving up, rather than just being smart.

How does the story of Francis Crick's brain model relate to the concept of learning with fresh eyes?

The story illustrates that even a renowned scientist like Francis Crick can discover new insights about familiar objects when looking at them with a fresh perspective, emphasizing the importance of continual learning and observation.